Following Dreams

"CBN News Capitol Hill Correspondent"

Taylor: Tell me exactly what a Capitol Hill Correspondent does.

Jennifer: I cover congress, but specifically for CBN News. I report on issues that are important to Christians. At CBN, we cover the big issues and then we look at it and see how it affects Christians.

Taylor: How long have you been a news reporter?

Jennifer: I’ve been a journalist for about eight years. I started as an associate producer where I kind of helped the producer and wrote some stories. When people were on vacation and couldn’t cover a story, I would say, “Hey! Don’t you need someone to cover that story for you?” So, I’ve been reporting for about seven years, but I’ve been in the business for eight.

Taylor: Do you get to personally interview Senators and Presidents?

Jennifer: I do! Actually today I’m going to interview a congressman. During the presidential campaign, I got to interview Barak Obama and John McCain.

Interviewing President Barack Obama.

Taylor: What has been the most exciting thing that you have been able to cover?

Jennifer: I have to say Queen Elizabeth’s second visit to Virginia was exciting. She came out for the four hundredth anniversary of our first settlement in Jamestown, Virginia.

Taylor: What has been your toughest interview that you have had to cover?

Jennifer: I think most recently it was talking to a man who was infected with merca. He had an oral (mouth) operation and that’s where he got it. It was a staph infection. He was in a coma for a while and he had both of his legs amputated (removed). He got sick and woke up a couple weeks later and his legs were gone. It was very inspiring though, because he was learning to do things and finding a way to walk.

Taylor: Switching over to your childhood, what did you want to be when you were 12 years old?

Jennifer: Around that age, I definitely wanted to be a news reporter. I remember watching the news with my parents and thinking that it just looked like a cool job. I’ve always been a girly girl. For me, that kind of combined the getting to dress up and doing something really interesting.

Interviewing Vise President Joe Biden.

Taylor: Were you involved in any school programs or sports or clubs?

Jennifer: I played pretty much every sport under the sun. I played basketball, volleyball, ran track, and I was always in my high school pageants. I was also in honor society, so I was very involved.

Taylor: What would you say is one of your fondest memories growing up?

Jennifer: I have a really great family. I feel very blessed because everything that we have done as a family has been wonderful. We laugh a lot and we just have fun together.

Taylor: What kind of peer pressures do you remember having to deal with?

Jennifer: I think the biggest stress for me as a girl who always looked a little older, was the pressure to have that perfect look and the best clothes. Older guys were noticing me because I looked older. So, trying to find a balance to just be a young girl was very hard.

Taylor: How did you overcome those peer pressures?

Jennifer: My Mom always helped me. I knew that my parents were going to love me no matter what and that really helped me through those hard times.

Taylor: What college did you go to and what did you study?

Jennifer: For College, I went to Virginia Tech and I studied communications.

Taylor: Who would you say your mentors were?

Jennifer: Of course my parents have been huge supporters. At my first job, WBDJ, there was a woman and she really took me under her wing. She had started from the bottom and worked her way up; kind of like I did. In this business, no one really tells you what to wear or how to talk or write, so she really helped me in that way.

Taylor: If there are any girls out there that may want to become a Capitol Hill Correspondent when they grow up, what advice and studies would you recommend for them?

Jennifer: I think anyone who wants to get into political journalism needs to understand what is going on in the world. I think political science is a good major, government, and even history. If you want to get into journalism, people who have been through college will often say, “Do what you enjoy, because as long as you have a good writing background and you understand what’s going on in the world, then you can learn how to do it on T. V.”

Jennifer was interviewing me for a CBN News story.

Taylor: You are going to speak to girls all around the world through GirlZlikeme.com. Do you have any words of encouragement for them?

Jennifer: I would just say, girls, know that you are loved and that you’re special. If you work hard, you can do whatever you want and you really can make a difference in the world. You just have to work hard and believe in yourself.